12 Natural Homemade Hair Relaxers that are sure to Work

Is your hair too frizzy or curly to handle? Does it only take a little moisture to ruin your carefully set locks? Are you frustrated that your hair isn’t smooth, straight and manageable? If your answer is to these questions is ‘Yes’, you’ve come to the right place! All you need is a natural hair relaxer that will smoothen and tame your curls, so that your hair is silky, luscious, soft and graceful.

What is a hair relaxer?

A hair relaxer is an agent that calms hair, softens it, reduces the appearance of curls and frizz, and makers hair look smoother. Hair may look unkempt or too curly for many reasons (read genes, pollution, water quality or excessive chemical treatment), and this may be a put-off for many women out there. There are many synthetic hair relaxers available in the market today, which claim to soothe hair and make it look straight and curl-less.

But chemical hair relaxers available in the market damage the delicate protein structure in your hair, which causes damage and split ends. You are much better off using a DIY relaxer, which is a homemade relaxer to calm your hair. These natural relaxers also contain proteins and moisturizers which make your hair soft and silky to the touch. So what are you waiting for? Go through our list of top natural hair relaxer recipes today and pick the one most suited for you!

How can I relax my hair naturally?

Do not opt for chemical relaxers as they cause more harm to your hair than good. All natural hair relaxer recipes contain ingredients that highly moisturize and condition your hair, making it more manageable. With repeated use, these products have a lasting effect on hair. These natural relaxers give volume to hair as well, making it look shiny, thick and beautiful. Depending on the type of your scalp (oily or dry), use these DIY relaxers at least twice a week to see results.

Top natural hair relaxer recipes for oily hair

Aloe gel is great for oily and curly hair, as it removes excess oil, makes hair luscious, silky and smooth. It works as a great natural hair relaxer which smoothens curls naturally. Aloe Vera has also been shown to remove impurities from hair, leaving it squeaky clean.

How to use:

Grind aloe gel to a fine paste. Apply a thick layer of the paste on your scalp, and massage till the tip. Cover your hair with a dry towel for an hour. Wash with mild shampoo and pat dry. Avoid going out in the sun on the day that you use this treatment.

4. Cucumber paste

Cucumber juice refreshes hair and encourages nourishment. It has a unique non-sticky formula which means that you can use it even on an oily scalp, and face no worries of heavy, weighed-down hair.

How to use:

Grind a cucumber or two (depending on the length of your hair) into a fine paste, and apply a thick layer on your hair. Cover your hair from root to tip with this natural relaxer. Wrap your hair with a damp towel. Leave on for half an hour, and wash your hair with a mild shampoo. Repeat twice a week.

Top natural hair relaxer recipes for normal hair

Honey is known for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which makes it great for your body in general. What most people don’t know is that honey is great for hair as well, because it moisturizes and softens your hair magically, getting rid of stubborn curls.

How to use:

Mix a tablespoon of honey with a tablespoon of lemon juice, and apply from root to tip. Leave on for 1 hour, and wash off with cold water. Repeat twice a week.

6. Yoghurt

How to use:

Mix a tablespoon of non-flavored plain yoghurt with 1 egg white, and apply on dry hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap for 20 minutes. Wash with cold water and mild shampoo. Repeat once a week.

7. Lemon

Lemon has great antioxidant properties, and it also keeps your scalp clean. It also unclogs pores and removes excess oil. Coconut milk moisturizes hair and provides great nourishment as a curl relaxer. The combination of the two leads to luscious, bouncy hair that is soft to touch.

How to use:

To make this natural relaxer, combine a tablespoon of lemon juice and coconut milk to a teaspoon of olive oil and corn starch so that they form a paste. Apply this paste generously on your scalp, and leave on for 20 minutes with a shower cap. Wash with mild shampoo, and repeat once a week for best results.

8. Milk

The natural fat content in milk makes hair soft, straight and silky. This easy method of straightening hair naturally is hassle-free as well, as it involves just one ingredient.

How to use:

Pour a quarter cup of milk in a spray bottle, and spritz your hair with the milk. Allow it to stay for an hour, and wash off with mild shampoo. Repeat once a week.

9. Olive oil

How to use:

Take a quarter cup of olive oil in a bowl, and heat it till it becomes warm. Be careful about the heat – you don’t want to burn your hand or scalp. A good way to check the heat is the elbow test. After the oil has warmed, apply the oil on your scalp, and massage it in a circular motion for about 10 minutes. Make sure you apply the oil from root to tip. Cover your hair with a damp towel and leave on for 2 hours, and wash the oil off with a mild shampoo. Repeat twice a week for best results.

10. Coconut cream

The moisturizing properties of coconut oil and cream are very well known. Coconut oil is known to promote hair growth as well, which makes it perfect for you. Coconut oil deeply nourishes hair and increases blood circulation, which in turn is great for building protein content in your hair. Naturally relaxed hair, here we come!

How to use:

Mix equal portions of coconut cream and coconut oil in a bowl, and warm the mixture. Apply the mixture generously from root to tip, and leave on for 2 hours. Wash with a mild shampoo, and let dry naturally.

11. Cocoa butter

Cocoa butter is a great ingredient for your hair for two reasons – it moisturizes, softens and smoothens hair, and it smells great! You can use store-bought organic cocoa butter to see instant changes in the texture of your hair.

How to use:

Apply a thick layer of cocoa butter on your hair, from root to tip. Wrap your hair in a warm towel (you can warm it by using a blow drier on it, or by leaving it out to dry in the hot sun), and leave on for 1 hour. Wash the cocoa butter off with mild shampoo, and condition. Repeat once a week.

12. Egg yolk

Egg yolk has additional protein content which makes hair strong and resistant to damage. The fat in egg yolk makes it perfect for dry hair, as it tames your dry curls.

How to use:

Beat an egg yolk in a bowl, and add a teaspoon of honey. Apply on wet hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Wash with mild shampoo. Repeat once a week.

Top tips to relax hair naturally

Use a natural relaxer of your choice at least twice a week for best results

Check the ingredients for allergen information

Avoid blow-drying your hair. If you have to, always use it on a low heat setting

Never use warm water if your natural DIY relaxer contains eggs, as the water may end up cooking the eggs!

Be careful while coloring your hair. Avoid ammonia treatments

Use a wide-toothed comb, do not attempt to untangle strands by force – use oil instead

Do not shower with hot water. Always use cold water on your hair

Use a leave-on serum to avoid sun damage

Remember that you’re beautiful regardless. These methods are homemade natural hair relaxers which also help you maintain and nourish your hair. Which method did you like the most? Which hack worked out for you? Comment below and let us know!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog post are a result of research by the author and the author alone. Please use your discretion before taking any decisions based on the information in this blog. The author will not be responsible for any damage caused. Consult a dermatologist or a registered health practitioner for allergen information before attempting any processes mentioned in this blog.

Nivedha is a caffeine addict who worships chocolate, George R. R. Martin and J. K. Rowling alike. If you can't find her immersed in a pair of headphones, you'll see her nose-deep in a nondescript novel or a slice of cake. And by a slice, she means an entire cake. Find her on Instagram at @the_higher_iyer.

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